(London) – The world’s first International Plant Health Conference (IPHC) convened last week at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Center in London. The event was co-organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and the UK Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).
The event included more than 500 policymakers, academics and experts from over 74 countries to share knowledge and discuss global scientific, technical and regulatory issues, alongside actions to tackle these existential threats to our society, economy and environment.
As highlighted in a recent article by the IPPC, “plants provide 98 per cent of the air we breathe and 80 per cent of the food we eat. That’s how much our lives depend on plants, yet we often overlook how vital they are. Our global plant resources are under threat from pests and diseases.”
“Once plant pests are established in an area, it becomes nearly impossible and extremely costly to eradicate them. This sets back global efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by curtailing our ability to provide food security for all, protect our environment and biodiversity for future generations, and to ensure that crops and plant products are traded safely to help boost economic growth.”
Furthermore, an FAO study estimates that annually up to 40 percent of global crop production is lost to pests. Each year, plant diseases cost the global economy over $220 billion, and invasive insects at least $70 billion. These daunting figures and statistics have both industry and regulators searching for alternatives.
Reveam’s Co-Founder/EVP, Chip Starns, was invited to the conference to present Electronic Cold-Pasteurization® (ECP®) as an alternative solution to harmful, toxic chemicals such as Methyl Bromide. ECP® offers an environmentally-safe and effective means of reducing movement and development of plant pests and pathogens.
“It was an honor to join global leading authorities at the IPHC and learn about the incredible advancements made in protecting plants. We’re eager to leverage our ECP® technology to support these initiatives to protect and improve the quality of our food supply.” stated Starns.
Electronic Cold-Pasteurization® (ECP®), a USDA/FDA-approved treatment solution, is a chemical-free, heat-free treatment that eliminates harmful pests and pathogens while extending shelf-life at the peak of freshness and pinnacle of safety. ECP® showers fresh produce with a controlled beam of electrons that eliminates pests like fruit flies, destroys pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella and kills bacteria and molds that spoil food. This patented electron beam system also significantly extends the shelf life of produce without harming taste, color, odor, texture or the environment, and is recognized by leading industry experts as the only truly effective and environmentally safe food treatment method available today.
Reveam looks forward to working with the IPHC towards achieving global goals and initiatives. Visit reveam.com to learn more and stay abreast of our progress.
About Reveam
Reveam is dedicated to replacing dangerous chemicals and outdated treatment methods by providing a proprietary solution to the food industry and beyond. Operating out of its Atlanta, GA headquarters and Rio Grande Valley, TX Electronic Cold-Pasteurization® (ECP®) processing facility, the company works with growers, customs brokers, wholesalers, distributors, food service providers and retailers to improve safety and quality across the produce supply chain. Patented ECP® and comprehensive logistics services enable Reveam to eliminate harmful pests, extend product shelf-life, enhance fresh food taste and appearance and reduce compliance costs. Learn more at www.reveam.com
